With the new year now well underway, I am sure we are all fully immersed in our day-to-day working lives. It is easy to become focused solely on the tasks in front of us and the need to deliver, rather than taking a step back and making space for our broader personal development.
As I highlighted in my column last month, the Institute is focused in 2026 on supporting members and evolving their development at all stages of their careers. Whilst we continue working with members and stakeholders to shape this programme, I am also pleased that the Institute continues to provide direct support to members.
First and foremost, the Branch technical evenings and events are running full programmes. As always, I encourage you to engage with these valuable sessions and networking opportunities. One of the great strengths of our Institute is the ability to share experiences, challenges and solutions with fellow members. The knowledge and expertise within our membership is a vital asset that helps underpin our profession and supports the delivery of essential minerals for UK PLC.
I am particularly pleased that March will see the rollout of one of our new initiatives to support the membership, with the release of the first CPD Select unit, free for members, covering communication and leadership awareness. This is the first of five units to be released throughout the year and is designed to support members who are developing their knowledge, as well as serving as a refresher for longer-standing members. The unit will be accessible via PC, tablet or phone and will automatically generate a CPD certificate upon completion.
Whilst IQ is a professional body, we are also a community. As part of our development and member support, we recognise that mental health and wellbeing are high priorities both in wider society and within our sector. Many industry stakeholders have developed guidance and support for companies and individuals to help address these issues.
The Institute has long operated a benevolent fund to support members who are in need, and this year we are building on this by putting in place a health and wellbeing officer to support members and employers in creating the best working environments possible.
As we progress through the year, there will be further developments that I look forward to sharing with you. I believe we are building a strong foundation of support that will help drive the Institute and our industry forward in the years ahead.
My call to action is simple: get involved, be proactive, engage with your local branch, provide feedback on our membership consultations and help us shape the future of the Institute.